Dual-in line universal serial bus connector

Abstract

A dual-in-line Universal Serial Bus connector including a plurality of Universal Serial Bus ports oriented adjacent to each other in a longitudinal direction. The dual-in-line Universal Serial Bus connector further includes a plurality of signal pins and a pair of mounting tabs. The signal pins are coupled to the plurality of Universal Serial Bus ports in order to receive data input into at least one of the plurality of Universal Serial Bus ports. The positioning of the mounting tabs and signal pins enable this connector to be used as a substitute for a serial communication (COM) port connector.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A circuit board comprising: a first footprint to mount a device thereon; and   a second footprint to support a Universal Serial Bus connector and a communication (COM) connector in the alternative, the second footprint including at least two mounting apertures,   at least eight Universal Serial Bus (USB) signal pin apertures, the at least eight USB signal pin apertures being aligned and spaced equidistant from the at least two mounting apertures, and   at least two sets of communication (COM) port apertures, a first set of COM port apertures laterally spaced to one side of a plane formed by the at least two mounting apertures and a second set of COM port apertures laterally spaced to an opposite side of the plane.     
     
     
       2. The circuit board according to claim 1, wherein the at least eight USB signal pin apertures include at least four USB signal pin apertures through which data is transferred, at least one USB signal pin aperture coupled to ground and at least one USB signal pin aperture coupled to power. 
     
     
       3. The circuit board according to claim 1, wherein the device associated with the first footprint includes a microprocessor. 
     
     
       4. The circuit board according to claim 1, wherein the device associated with the first footprint includes a communication (COM) connector. 
     
     
       5. The circuit board according to claim 1 further including a plurality of capacitors coupled to pins of the USB connector when inserted into the at least eight USB signal pin apertures. 
     
     
       6. The circuit board according to claim 5 further comprising a fuse coupled to the plurality of capacitors. 
     
     
       7. A circuit board comprising: a first footprint for a first communication (COM) connector thereon; and   a second footprint for supporting of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector and a second COM connector in the alternative, the second footprint including at least two mounting apertures,   a first plurality of signal pin apertures provided for a Universal Serial Bus connector, the first plurality of signal pin apertures being generally aligned and spaced equidistant from a plane including the at least two mounting apertures, and   at least two sets of COM port apertures laterally adjacent to each other, a first set of COM port apertures laterally spaced from the plane in a first direction and a second set of COM port apertures laterally spaced from the plane in a direction opposite the first direction.     
     
     
       8. The circuit board according to claim 7, wherein the first plurality of signal pin apertures placed in a distance not exceeding a distance between the at least two mounting apertures. 
     
     
       9. The circuit board according to claim 7 further including a plurality of capacitors coupled to pins of the USB connector when inserted into the first plurality of signal pin apertures. 
     
     
       10. The circuit board according to claim 9 further comprising a fuse coupled to the plurality of capacitors. 
     
     
       11. The circuit board according to claim 10, wherein the fuse to provide voltage to a device off the circuit board. 
     
     
       12. The circuit board according to claim 10, wherein the fuse to provide voltage to a device off the circuit board. 
     
     
       13. A circuit board comprising: a footprint for supporting an input/output controller; and   a footprint for supporting of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector and a serial communication (COM) connector in the alternative, the footprint including at least two mounting apertures,   a first plurality of signal pin apertures provided for the USB connector, the first plurality of signal pin apertures being generally aligned and spaced equidistant from a plane formed by the at least two mounting apertures, and   at least two sets of COM port apertures laterally adjacent to each other, a first set of COM port apertures laterally spaced from the plane in a first direction and a second set of COM port apertures laterally spaced from the plane in a direction opposite the first direction.     
     
     
       14. The circuit board according to claim 13, wherein the first plurality of signal pin apertures placed in a distance not exceeding a distance between the at least two mounting apertures. 
     
     
       15. The circuit board according to claim 13 further including a plurality of capacitors coupled to the USB connector when inserted into the first plurality of signal pin apertures. 
     
     
       16. The circuit board according to claim 15 further comprising a fuse coupled to the plurality of capacitors. 
     
     
       17. The circuit board according to claim 16, wherein the fuse provides voltage to a device off the circuit board.